SUCH A TIME AS THIS ...

Hey y'all!

I have been super thankful for the sun coming out and warm weather to get outside. It’s been refreshing to pass people on the street walking with their dogs and their families, running, riding bikes - you name it. Of course, at a safe, six foot distance. A simple “hello,” “how you doing,” or “it's great to see you guys out and about'' has been good for the soul. Even better for our community.

We've been in this thing long enough to probably have a new rhythm of life somewhat. 

For those staying at home, experiencing lockdown at home, and/or working from home, a rhythm has developed at this point that could seem almost monotonous and ongoing. The thing that makes it hard is we're not really sure when it'll end. There is no end goal in mind nor a certain date where we can say, “I'll work like this until this time and then it will all change.” We just don't know. 

The monotony of the routine and the uncertainty of what the light at the end of the tunnel is supposed to look like can start to wear, even if the schedule you have is good. It could almost feel like we're running on a mouse wheel. Not really sure if we're getting anywhere.

We now know from government mandates that we will probably be in this longer than we originally anticipated. Rather than running on a temporary wheel of routine waiting for the old one to come back, I want to challenge us to think outside the box and to begin to think a new way. 

Now is the time to be bold, now is the time to take risks, now is the time to push into and be creative in thinking of a new normal and new purpose.

My wife is an ER nurse and was promoted about a month or so prior to this outbreak happening. She is now one of the nurses that oversees their department. Great timing for the promotion right? No pressure... But as a result of this promotion, I know that she is now sitting in meetings with the administration and making plans that will have a big impact, and I know that she has been wired and geared to succeed. And I know that it was NOT a coincidence that she was placed where she is to do the work she's doing - in a time such as this. She is uniquely gifted and God has placed a favor on her for this work. 

More than ever, it is clear to me, that what she's been through with her experience up to this point, is all being used not only in her job but also to bring the Kingdom into that space.

If we believe that God is a God that is not surprised by anything, then we have to also believe that God is not surprised by where we are now. 

We also can believe that God has specifically equipped all of us to not just endure this season but to thrive in it with gifts, talents, abilities, experiences, and endurance. We also can believe that we get to use what is given us in a way that benefits those around us and further builds the Kingdom. 

I fully believe that we have the capability inside of us, because of the Spirit. The Spirit will help us find purpose, maybe a new purpose, in this season that has been uniquely crafted by God for us.

You very well may be positioned and gifted in such a way for a time and a season such as this for a community such as yours.

Take some time to meet with God this week. Ask him to meet with you to assess the assets that you have, the experiences that you've been through, and the gifts that you know you have as well as the ones that maybe God hasn't revealed to you yet. And then ask God to show you in which ways they can be used during this time. 

There may be a new way of connecting the dots that you never thought before.

God's always been working and always seems to have an army strategically placed and equipped to do Kingdom work no matter the circumstance or season. This season's no different.

Some Tedashii for your motivational needs! 

- Sam Linette, Formations Pastor